Pensacola Bay Center To Get $10 Million In Upgrades Over Next Four Years

May 6, 2024

The Escambia County Commission has approved about $10 million in funding over the next four years for improvements at the county-owned Pensacola Bay Center.

The $9,991,200 from Fifth Cent Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Funds as allowed by the Tourist Development Council will fund the multi-year improvement plan.

The Pensacola Bay Center is in its 40th year of operation, and the county said it is in need of improvements in order to remain a destination that attracts tourists, vendors, and citizens to Escambia County. TDT funds will be used to extend the useful life of the Bay Center, which supports venues such as the Ice Flyers, Sun Belt Conference, Pensacon, and many others while at the same time improving the venue’s competitiveness in attracting new events that support tourism here in Escambia County.

First year upgrades will include $3 million for the sound system, lighting system, parking lot repaving, exterior fence, and retractable seating. Future year improvements will include ice plant needs to continue hockey operations, mechanical systems and replacement of original equipment and systems.

Pictured: The Pensacola Bay Center hosted the 2024 University of West Florida Commencement on May 4. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Pensacola Bay Center To Get $10 Million In Upgrades Over Next Four Years”

  1. Cheryl Lewis on May 9th, 2024 2:12 pm

    Need to add money on for maintenance. A little paint and handyman work would go a long wzy. Like bathroom faucets that need repaired, door latch on stalls. Power washing, general everyday up keep and cleaning. Turn the old train station into several restaurants/ bars. Hotel ??? A parking garage would be great on sone part of that land. Maybe advertise bay center events more at the beach. Provide a trolley service, have some community based events. Maybe talent shows, local battle of the bznds. Flea market once a month in parking lot, Upgrade food services. Some events are all dsy. Everything is fried. Maybe a salad place. Fruit cups for kids or veggies and dip…. So much can be done without spending a lot of money. Let some high school kids do community service by painting , cleaning etc. there is so much that COULD be done with a little initiative and creativity. I would be more than willing to get involved,

  2. Steve on May 7th, 2024 9:48 am

    Save the tax payers money and build a nice new modern upgraded facility at the 500 acre OLF flying field. Makes sense to those with common sense. Sign over the deed to the existing civic ctr to the city of pensacola and move north. Follow the trend. Growth is coming whether we like it or not. Maybe for once Escambia county commissioners can think outside the box! Survey?

  3. Robert on May 7th, 2024 6:15 am

    Every town the size of Pensacola needs an arena. Look at the attendance of the Ice Flyers.

  4. J Larry Seale on May 6th, 2024 6:39 pm

    simple,
    tear it down,sell the land…..More room
    for apartment complex………
    Build a new one out on nine mile road
    County has 500 acres out there……..

  5. SD on May 6th, 2024 5:52 pm

    Can’t see a total rebuild since there are so
    Many needs around town, but this seems reasonable. I do agree about the hotel. Such a shame they are approving new ones when the L&N building and hotel could probably be saved

  6. DGK on May 6th, 2024 3:38 pm

    Tear it down and rebuild. Something connected with a hotel across from it after tearing down the old hotel also. Improved parking is necessary also.

  7. RW on May 6th, 2024 9:47 am

    WASTE OF TAXPAPER MONEY

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News